The Namibia Heart Foundation has raised concern over an unprecedented surge in heart-related ailments, particularly heart attacks and paralysis, amongst both adults and children in Namibia.

Chief Executive Officer Gerhard De Koe says heart-related diseases remain among the deadliest in Namibia, often due to unhealthy diets, bad lifestyle habits, and overdue health check-ups.

De Koe says, at present, the Namibia Heart Foundation provides basic needs to roughly 40 children in hospitals who have been diagnosed with heart-related illnesses.

The NHF, which opened its doors in August three years ago, is an advocacy organization that solicits sponsorships to assist with medical costs, food, toiletries, and post-trauma counseling for patients from all walks of life.

Meanwhile, Miss Namibia Cassia Sharpley also joined the organization, pledging support for its efforts to reach out to vulnerable members of society who struggle to access healthcare.

Biokinetic's Dr. Henry Boshoff says cases of heart-related ailments have reached alarming rates in Namibia, and he says death rates have far surpassed those of HIV/AIDS and cancer.

A study by the research group BMC shows that 812 outpatients were treated for heart-related ailments, with 74 deaths recorded in Namibia between January 2010 and December 2020.

An additional 1,463 patients were admitted to hospitals during the ten-year period.